POSITIVE MESSAGE
Tay ‘Firefly’ Fisher speaks to students at Goff Middle School
EASTGREENBUSH, N.Y. » Tay ‘ Firefly’ Fisher spoke to a packed gymnasium of seventh and eighth graders at Howard L. Goff Middle School, Wednesday morning
Fisher, a former Harlem Globetrotter and Siena College product, shared his positive message, as well as his life and cultural experiences with the students.
Growing up in a rough neighborhood in Kingston, N.Y., Fisher noted how he found refuge at the Boys & Girls Club.
“Every single day I did that [went to the Boys & Girls Club] and that’s where I learned the love of basketball from. That’s where most of my friends were from,” Fisher said.
From there, Fisher explained how he was able to then get out of his comfort zone and grow from there.
“I was at the Boys & Girls Club and the JV coach came to the Boys & Girls Club and he pulled me from there, drove me to practice and said you’re trying out for this team,” Fisher, who was hesitant at first, said.
“I didn’t even have basketball sneakers. I had Tims [ Timberland’s] on. I didn’t even have basketball sneakers, and they made me try out because they saw the potential in me. And they knew that I was lying when I said I didn’t want to try out. I was lying because I was nervous. I was scared,” Fisher continued.
“I was comfortable. The Boys & Girls Club was a comfortable place for me. I knew everybody;I knew where to go, I knew the hours, I was fine. But they said, ‘you know what, you have so much potential,’ they made me try out. And that was the best thing that ever happened in my life,” Fisher added on the impact the decision had on his life and basketball career.
Fisher also took the students through his basketball career. As the lone senior on the squad, Fisher’s sharpshooting helped guide the Saints to a MAAC championship in 2008 and an upset of Vanderbilt in the NCAA tournament.
“They won three years in a row, but it started with me. And I was happy that I was able to start it off for everybody because those are memories that people will never forget and I was happy that I was able to share it with
them,” Fisher remarked on celebrating the title on his birthday as well.
Fisher also touched on his time with the Globetrotters and the different experiences that came along with being on the team.
“They said we’re going to call you ‘Firefly’ because you light it up as soon as you get on the court. You light it up with your dribbling. You light it up with your shooting. You light it up with your smile. So, we’re going to call you ‘Firefly,’” Fisher said.
In addition to continuing his basketball career, his time with the Globetrotters opened up the ability to visit and connect with different cultures.
“Traveling became my teacher. Yes, you have teachers, but traveling became my teacher. You don’t understand the power of traveling. Again, this all comes from me playing basketball, but you can do it as well. You can travel the world as well. I did all 50 states.
I’ve been in 75 countries. You might not think that’s a lot, but the teachers know, that’s a lot!” Fisher said.
“I think it makes me the person I am right now because I’m able to see different cultures,” Fisher continued.
“That’s the best part about everything; you want to be exposed to different things! Just like you, when you come to school, maybe you see somebody that’s not the same as you in color, maybe you see somebody that’s not the same as you in the way you dress, the sneakers you wear, the style that you have, that’s OK, you still have to respect them for who they are,” Fisher added of learning about and respecting people from different cultures.
In addition, Fisher concluded by encouraging the students to use their voices.
“If you don’t like something, you have to speak up. When I had the sixth graders, I taught them the power of talking. Everybody would much rather text than talk. But you have to use your voice. We all have a voice. Use it,” Fisher added.